Equity Attributable to Comverse Technology, Inc and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period			$ 552,752	$ 485,887
Net (loss) income	8,233	42,267	(33,318)	(46,740)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(16,986)	(6,452)	(10,235)	(6,776)
Stock-based compensation expense			8,401	7,150
Exercise of stock options			49	1,861
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other			19,733	27,303
Sale of Starhome			(8,339)	0
Share Distribution			48,722	0
Repurchase of common stock			(1,685)	(4,319)
Other			825	0
Balance, value at end of period	576,905	464,366	576,905	464,366
Comverse Technology, Inc
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period			441,508	413,008
Net (loss) income			(54,431)	(63,202)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(11,112)	(4,825)
Stock-based compensation expense			8,401	7,150
Exercise of stock options			49	1,861
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other			12,832	15,268
Sale of Starhome			0	0
Share Distribution			48,722	0
Repurchase of common stock			(1,685)	(4,319)
Other			825	0
Balance, value at end of period	445,109	364,941	445,109	364,941
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, value at beginning of period			111,244	72,879
Net (loss) income			21,113	16,462
Other comprehensive income (loss)			877	(1,951)
Stock-based compensation expense			0	0
Exercise of stock options			0	0
Impact from equity transactions of subsidiaries and other			6,901	12,035
Sale of Starhome			(8,339)	0
Share Distribution			0	0
Repurchase of common stock			0	0
Other			0	0
Balance, value at end of period	$ 131,796	$ 99,425	$ 131,796	$ 99,425